A SAINTLY KILLING is third in the Faith Morgan mystery series, but provided my introduction to the good lady and the parish of Little Worthy. I found the location confusing at first, because some American terms are used like emporium and sharing personal information, but it's possible that some people in the south of England do use these terms now. So, how could a crime be A SAINTLY KILLING?

Faith Morgan is the reverend in the parish of St. James, and unusually she had been a police officer until receiving her calling to the vocation. Her human instincts and previous training both kick in when a female artist is found dead near the church. The villager who reports the matter and asks Faith for help, noticed some marks on the artist's skin - Faith sees for herself that the marks could have been caused by strangulation. Sal Hinkley had an unusual lifestyle, according to the conservative locals. Will the cause of death be linked to her artistic fellow travellers, or nearer to home? George Casey, the press officer for the diocese, drives over from Winchester and he's determined that this outsider and her misfortune mustn't cast any shadows on the congregation and upcoming anniversary celebrations.

Suspects include ex-husband David McGarran, a local female artist - but surely that's just professional rivalry - and more. The locals are kindly with their incessant tea and cake, but old-fashionedly suspicious of young people from outside the town. Faith has to wrestle with her own conscience on another issue. Her sister's ex-husband has returned as the other woman he chose instead didn't work out long-term. Should Faith forgive this man who hurt her sister so badly? Not to mention that Faith's mother's mental faculties seem to be going downhill.

Martha Ockley has provided a lovely story for mystery enthusiasts. I enjoyed scenes such as ascending to the belfrey to hang new bell-ropes, and the character portraits deftly drawn for us. The village, naturally, has a lot of history, and the stored memories of the inhabitants are shown to Faith, providing a full backdrop to the modern events. We never quite know which may be clues to the present crime, so it's wise to pay attention. A SAINTLY KILLING may be a contradiction in terms, but fans of countryside mysteries will certainly enjoy this series.